Afghanistan Open Asian Games Campaign With 48-Run Victory Over Japan

Afghanistan made a winning start to the men's cricket competition at the 2026 Asian Games, defeating hosts Japan by 48 runs in the opening Group A match at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin.

After being asked to bat first, Afghanistan posted 129 for 6 from their 20 overs. Japan's bowlers kept the scoring under control for much of the innings, but Afghanistan found enough runs during the closing stages to establish a competitive total.

Akram Leads Afghanistan's Batting

Mohammad Akram was Afghanistan's leading scorer, making 34 from 29 deliveries. His innings included two fours and two sixes as he attempted to give Afghanistan momentum during the middle overs.

Karim Janat contributed 21 from 23 balls, while captain Darwish Rasooli scored 29 from 27 deliveries. The Afghanistan captain's late acceleration helped the visitors recover after Japan's spinners had restricted the scoring rate.

Mohammad Ishaq then provided an important finishing contribution. The wicketkeeper-batter remained unbeaten on 25 from just 17 balls, hitting two fours and a six to help Afghanistan reach 129 for 6.

Japan's Spinners Keep Afghanistan Under Pressure

Japan produced a disciplined bowling performance for much of the first innings. Ibrahim Takahashi was particularly effective, finishing with 2 for 19 from his four overs.

Shoma Sugaya-Slater also claimed two wickets for 18 runs from three overs. Japan regularly found breakthroughs and prevented Afghanistan from building a large total, leaving the hosts with a target of 130.

However, Afghanistan scored 45 runs during the final four overs, with Rasooli and Ishaq supplying the late acceleration that ultimately proved decisive.

Japan's Chase Starts With Early Pressure

Japan's chase began poorly when Lachlan Yamamoto-Lake was dismissed for a duck. Reo Sakurano-Thomas and captain Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming attempted to rebuild the innings during the Powerplay.

Sakurano-Thomas became Japan's highest scorer with 23 from 24 balls. Kadowaki-Fleming also tried to steady the innings, but Afghanistan's bowlers continued to create pressure and prevented the hosts from establishing a substantial partnership.

Arab Gul Turns the Match Around

The decisive moment came through Afghanistan's leg-spinner Arab Gul Momand. Making his international debut, Gul produced an outstanding spell of 4 for 8 from four overs.

Gul repeatedly troubled Japan's batters with his variation and accuracy. He produced two double-wicket maidens, leaving Japan's middle order unable to maintain the required scoring rate.

His spell transformed Japan's position from a competitive chase into a rapidly collapsing innings. Japan slipped from 53 for 2 to 63 for 8 as Afghanistan's spinners took complete control.

Kharote Completes the Job

Nangeyalia Kharote also played a major role with the ball, taking 3 for 19 from 3.3 overs. Abdullah Ahmadzai added two wickets for 13 runs.

Eight of Japan's wickets fell to spin, underlining the influence of Afghanistan's slow bowlers on a surface that offered assistance to the spinners.

Japan eventually reached 81 all out in 19.3 overs. Kharote completed the victory by bowling Shoma Sugaya-Slater for 5, sealing a 48-run win for Afghanistan.

Japan Unable to Repeat India Scare

The defeat came only two days after Japan pushed India extremely close in a rain-reduced five-over contest. Japan had restricted India to 32 for 4 and lost that match by just two runs.

Against Afghanistan, however, Japan's batting struggled once the Afghan spinners took control. The hosts could not reproduce the late resistance that had almost produced an upset against India.

Afghanistan Move to the Top of Group A

The victory gives Afghanistan an early advantage in Group A. Their next match is against Nepal on September 25, while Japan will face Nepal on September 26.

India, who enter the men's competition directly at the quarter-final stage, will face the second-placed team from Group A. The group-stage results will therefore determine which team advances to meet the defending champions.

Gul the Standout Performer

Afghanistan's victory was built on contributions from both departments, but Arab Gul's debut spell was the standout performance of the match. His 4 for 8 destroyed Japan's middle order and ensured that the hosts never came close to the target.

With a useful batting contribution of 129 and a dominant spin-bowling display, Afghanistan began their Asian Games campaign with a convincing win and an important two points in Group A.